Former ‘Daily Show’ reporter brings ‘shock value’

Justin Metz

Rob Corddry, actor and former news team member of “The Daily Show,” speaks to a packed Timken Great Hall on the Kent State Stark campus last night. . kept the audience laughing, while talking about the importance of voting in this year’s election. Sam Twa

Credit: DKS Editors

According to Rob Corddry, the election is about sending a message to old people: We’re here. We vote. We can run faster than you. Get used to it.

Corddry, an actor and former correspondent for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” spoke to more than 700 people at the Kent State Stark Campus last night. With his quick wit and satirical standup comedy, Corddry had the crowd in a constant state of laughter over topics such as politics, drugs and even Kent State.

“The sad truth is college students don’t vote,” Corddry said. “But 75 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 vote. People that wouldn’t know how to look that statistic up on Wikipedia, like I did, voted. Are you going to let them get away with that?”

Corddry said that for this election, it’s more important than ever for young people to make it to the polls.

“I don’t care who you vote for, I really don’t,” Corddry said. “Just please vote. The choice is easy; it’s the old one or the black one.”

Corddry was so passionate about the topic, he encouraged the audience to get their friends, even drug dealers, to vote in any way possible.

“I don’t care how you do it, lie to them. It’s worked for Republicans for the last eight years,” Corddry said.

After speaking about politics, Corddry transitioned to a commentary on Kent State’s drug policy. He started by reading the drug policy from the university Web site, but decided to give his own version instead.

“Don’t do crack.because it’s an ’80s drug,” said Corddry. “I think what you’re looking for is crystal meth. It’s a much cleaner buzz, it’s easier to take, and you can cook it up in your toilet.”

It seemed there was no clear agenda for Corddry’s monologue, but the crowd didn’t seem to care. He showed a few of his clips from “The Daily Show,” asked the audience to repeat the phrase “douche bag” on cue, and tried to decipher how to say “feces” in sign language by watching the interpreter.

For one section of his show, Corddry took the liberty to rewrite Kent State news release headlines in a “Daily Show” style.

“Apparently, you’ve gotten your news from me for four years anyway,” said Corddry. “We may as well keep it going.”

Corddry ended the night by presenting the world premiere of his new Internet television show “Children’s Hospital.” The comedic hospital drama can be seen on www.thewb.com starting in December.

While some audience members hoped Corddry would be more political in his presentation, they still left entertained.

“His humor is magnificent,”said Gloria O’shea, a sophomore applied arts major at the Stark campus. “I like his shock value most of all. You never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.”

Contact regional campus reporter Justin Metz at [email protected].